A Tuebrook convenience store has won the right to extend its trading hours despite objections.
Go Local on West Derby Road has been given approval by Liverpool Council to sell alcohol later despite fears around public safety being raised by area councillor Steve Radford. Applicant and licence holder Mukhlis Khidir Ahmed Khoshna had sought to extend alcohol sales hours at the convenience store from 7am to 2am seven days a week.
However, after negotiations with Merseyside Police, Mr Khoshna agreed on a terminal hour of 12am. The store opens from 6am to 11pm currently and was bidding to remain open until 2am.
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Cllr Radford had submitted a written objection to the local authority’s licensing and gambling sub-committee ahead of a decision being made today. The Stoneycroft ward member said the shop’s proximity to a hostel at Green Lane would be detrimental, should the trading hours be extended.
The Liberal Party leader added how he felt the application would “undermine public safety” if allowed to go ahead. Despite Cllr Radford’s objections, 15 letters of support had been sent to the committee alongside the application.
Ian Rushton, licensing agent on behalf of Mr Khoshna, said the applicant had run Go Local in Tuebrook since September 2020. Mr Rushton said his client had been “of benefit to the community” selling groceries, adding how alcohol had been an “extension of its sales.”
Mr Khoshna has a 10 year lease on the property, signifying his intention to remain in the area “for the long-term,” according to Mr Rushton. He added how Mr Khoshna was a “family man” who also operates premises in Wavertree and Toxteth.
Addressing concerns raised by Cllr Radford, Mr Rushton said it “speaks volumes that no responsible authority had objected” to the proposals and he had attempted to engage with the ward member but received a “very limited response.” Regarding the shop’s existing opening hours, committee chair, Cllr Christine Banks, questioned how the business would combat street drinking in the early hours, adding how it had become an issue “all over the city.”
In awarding the licence variation, Cllr Banks said the business must ensure that before its alcohol trading hours begin at 7am, all items must be covered and sectioned off from sale. This is also the case after alcohol sales cease at midnight.
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